Original subtitles

♪I drift across the boundless skies♪

♪Through deserts where no one goes♪

♪Seeking myself♪

♪The self I long to find♪

♪Lost in a maze of lies♪

♪I break into your sea of clouds♪

♪It traps me♪

♪It redeems me♪

♪Which hue of the sky is your love?♪

♪Or is it the burning flame♪

♪Found only in storms?♪

♪You are the mark engraved upon my heart♪

♪From then on all my memories tremble for you♪

♪What I cannot forget is that fleeting gaze♪

♪What I cannot escape is passion born in chaos♪

♪How I long to hold you again♪

♪How I long to hold you again♪

♪Our love, high among the clouds♪

♪Is sealed with that kiss♪

[Love in The Clouds]

[Adapted from Bai Lu Cheng Shuang's "Love in The Clouds"]

[Episode 21]

Princess Tianji sent a missive

saying that Mu Qibai had been incarcerated.

It is a great thing,

but I don't feel reassured.

If there's a mastermind behind Mu Qibai,

he won't live to see another day.

Yet he still lives now.

Perhaps he has a backup plan?

Your Lordship,

all the guards have been taken down.

Please come with me.

Ji Bozai has eliminated the netherbeasts.

Lord Jingxi also died in Jixing Abyss.

My Lord,

what should we do now?

Let it be.

I never intend to work for Zhushui Spiritual State anyway.

I just wanted to convince them

to entrust the task of raising netherbeasts to me

so that

I can enact my own plan.

Shao Qun.

You're my only confidant now.

In this desperate time,

we must raise another netherbeast as soon as possible.

Rest assured, My Lord.

The most dangerous place is the safest place.

I shall raise it with my soul and flesh.

No one will find out.

My Lord, your ambition will come to fruition.

One last step now.

Shao Qun.

I didn't expect

today to come.

My Lord, if you hadn't saved me,

I would have been eaten alive by the hounds.

It is my honor to die

for your legacy, My Lord.

Shao Qun.

When you're gone,

no one will protect me like you do.

Worry not, My Lord.

I will always

protect you.

Take care, My Lord.

Something happened in the Sunken Abyss.

It must be the netherbeast army.

How come?

Didn't we eliminate all of them?

It's Mu Qibai.

Mu Qibai somehow raised

new netherbeasts.

It's too late to stop him now.

So he does have a contingency plan.

[Tianji: Mu Qibai fled with the help of the netherbeast army.]

Mu Qibai escaped with the netherbeast army,

and he will be hiding.

The Prayer Night is around the corner.

The power of the stars will be at its strongest,

but so will

the power of the netherbeasts.

That is the best moment

for Mu Qibai to invade Jixing Palace.

I have a solution.

Ming Xian once invented

a demon-repelling parasol.

Yaoguang Mountain dislikes artifacts,

so the Emperor of Yaoguang Mountain

destroyed it before he even inspected it.

But I saw how he made it,

so I can replicate it.

Are you serious about making the demon-repelling parasol?

Has it ever crossed your mind

that if someone from Jixing Palace

recognized your work,

your identity would be exposed?

The netherbeast army threatens all Six Realms.

If we do not seal it,

many more innocent people will die.

Master also told us about the calamity

a century ago by the Spiritual Veins Fairy who raised netherbeasts.

Have you forgotten?

But...

But what if they find out you're Ming Xian?

They will kill you

even if you save them.

You know it.

But that hasn't happened.

The netherbeast army is the current threat.

If I can help,

I mustn't stand by and do nothing.

How very characteristic of you,

Ming Xian.

Princess Tianji, Immortal Ji, and Fairy Ming Yi.

I planted

the Netherbeast-Luring Caltrop inside Immortal Ji.

My act is inexcusable.

[Letter of Repentance]

I was misled.

Why would I fall for it, though?

It is inexcusable nonetheless.

I wonder if Tianji will forgive me

once I give her this letter of repentance.

Why have you summoned me today,

Your Highness?

Immortal Yan.

After my uncle raised the netherbeast army,

where did he go?

His Majesty has made a full recovery.

You have many ways to locate him.

Why consult a physician like me?

Because you will indulge me,

won't you?

Actually, I can also give you what Lord Hanfeng

promised you.

You can't.

Lord Hanfeng may not inherit Jixing Abyss,

but it still needs a leader.

Your Highness, do you still wish to marry Ji Bozai

so that he can run Jixing Abyss

as the prince consort?

Or,

do you wish to run Jixing Abyss

as an empress?

Surprised?

You did not hide your ambition well.

You even doubt if you can make it.

That's why you play it safe and look for a suitor

so that you can be the de facto leader

of Jixing Abyss behind your husband.

But Tianji,

you're not the only one

who is ambitious in this world.

I am too.

Since you're so unsure of yourself,

why not marry me

and let me run Jixing Abyss instead?

What?

You can't do it?

If you can't let go of your self-interest,

how can you convince me to betray Lord Hanfeng?

♪What a far-fetched excuse♪

♪Thus I missed the look in your eyes...♪

Xiao, tell me.

What is my uncle going to do next?

I can give you anything you want.

♪Your simple words of care♪

♪Keep appearing in my dream...♪

Why would you

put something like this on the line?

♪It hurts when I wake up...♪

Isn't this what you want, Yan Xiao?

To become more powerful,

you serve someone who raised a netherbeast army.

So, let's go with your plan then.

I'll marry you

and we'll work together.

What do you think?

Mu Tianji.

First, it was Ji Bozai.

Now, it's me.

Anyone can be your husband, is that so?

Yan Xiao!

Of course, not.

After all, you weren't even in my consideration in the past.

Your Highness, think it through.

Meng Yangqiu

is the best candidate to be the prince consort.

After all,

he worships

every word you say

and every line you speak.

Besides,

he is incapable of betraying you.

Yan Xiao, you jerk!

Do you think everyone is like you?

I...

Tianji.

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Like this. Yes.

- Thank you. - No worries.

Take a parasol.

Take a parasol.

Thank you.

Use it.

- Take a parasol. - Thank you.

You're welcome.

- Come take your demon-repelling parasol. - Sure.

Thank you.

Take it.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Here.

Sure.

Take a parasol.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Here. Take a parasol.

Come.

Thank you.

- Thank you. - Take a parasol.

I have some good tea inside.

- Try it. - No, thanks.

- We need to hand out the parasols. - Thank you.

Come inside.

All right.

- Okay. - Here.

Thank you.

Great timing.

Will you try the demon-repelling parasol for me?

The artisans crafted them using the blueprint

given by Ming Yi.

Tianji.

Is the parasol broken?

This parasol is amazing!

Spin it and its power will be activated

to create a defensive barrier.

Meng Yangqiu.

You'll have to train harder.

Perhaps

you can learn from Chen Xi.

Chen Xi.

Teach me how to do it.

Call me Master then.

I'll buy you candies.

Deal!

[Demon-repelling parasol blueprint]

Is this for Zhang Tai?

She just learned to use her spiritual veins.

I want to make her an artifact that she can use.

Did you design

that fan as well?

The demon-repelling parasols

can protect the vulnerable ones.

But to seal more netherbeasts,

we'll have to reinforce the power contained in the artifact.

Once you're done,

I'll inject my power into it.

Your master is already head over heels.

Your master fell in love first.

As if she doesn't know

she already has a fiancé.

You...

Yes?

Your master did it first.

Look at him.

He developed feelings first.

No, your master couldn't control herself.

That's why they're stuck in this situation.

She couldn't control herself?

Your master is way too shameless.

That's why they are stuck.

Stop it, you two.

Actually,

I do have a request, Immortal Ji.

The fan used by Ming Xian is called Embers.

It is very powerful,

and can be used to subdue netherbeasts.

Embers?

So its name is Embers.

What a great name.

You want it back?

Can I?

Sure.

But I destroyed it already.

What?

Embers is my...

Ming Xian's most treasured artifact.

Do you have any idea how many netherbeasts

it can defeat?

What does it have to do with me?

Ming Yi.

We are spouses who share a heart imprint

and who had our names carved on the Marriage Stone.

You're impossible.

What did I say?

Look at your master.

Look.

Open your eyes.

Are you upset now?

Granny Xun.

Quick.

Help him.

Let me massage your dragon horns

- and save you. - Go away.

Brush your cat whiskers instead.

You sure you don't want

to see how smitten your master is?

Are you sure?

My master couldn't control herself, you said.

We don't know what will happen

when we fight Mu Qibai,

but I will protect you.

However,

you must be prepared.

If I survive,

you will not be able to escape from me.

What if I say,

instead of you protecting me,

why don't

we protect each other?

Xun Ming mentioned Heartbond Array in the Illusory Realm.

Ancient tomes also said

that it could seal netherbeasts.

During the netherbeast calamity a century ago,

it was the Heartbond Array that sealed them.

To use the array, the spellcasters must be of one mind and one heart.

If not,

they will be caught in self-immolation.

And it's precisely due to this high risk

that no one

has practiced it since then.

If that's what we have to do,

then it's not that complicated.

After all,

we are of the same mind.

Aren't you in love

with my niece?

What's love

compared to power?

Princess Tianji is incapable of leading Jixing Abyss.

Even if I side with her,

we will only become fodder

to the netherbeast army.

After I ascend the throne,

the position of Lord Hanfeng will be vacant.

In my opinion,

you are good enough to carry that title.

I promise you

that you will be a non-relative vassal,

the next Lord Hanfeng.

Thank you, Lord Hanfeng.

No.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

At ease.

Don't worry, Your Majesty.

Even though Tianji can wake her father up,

the divine enfeebling powder will still take effect.

Your Majesty

can nonetheless accede legitimately.

Now that my brother has taken enough enfeebling powder,

fighting him during the Prayer Night

is the best option.

Then, we'll declare that Jixing Abyss has a new emperor.

What do you think?

Wise choice, Your Majesty.

Lord Chengyun, you were gravely injured in Jixing Abyss.

Now that you have recovered slightly,

you came to my state in private.

Your emperor might just hold you accountable for your actions here.

I came

to negotiate with you, Your Majesty.

Negotiate?

How arrogant.

Your Majesty, surely you are aware

that Jixing Abyss is in turmoil lately.

First, Your Majesty was misled

into underestimating

Ji Bozai's power in the Qingyun Tournament.

That already ruined your plan.

Then, came Mu Qibai,

who sabotaged your years of effort in raising netherbeasts,

and even caused the death of Lord Jingxi.

Jixing Abyss

is digging its own grave.

I am offering my help

to get rid of Jixing Abyss.

In exchange, I pray Your Majesty can aid me

in becoming the Crown Prince of Yaoguang Mountain.

My son, Chao Yu, died in Jixing Abyss.

Not only did Mu Qibai fail to disclose this to me,

but he even harbored the netherbeast core

in an attempt to go against me.

I confer this important item to you.

We'll see

if you can make good use of it.

It is my honor

to serve you, Your Majesty.

You will not be disappointed

for Jixing Abyss will be no more.

The Prayer Night is upon Jixing Abyss.

In these three long nights, all plants will wilt.

After the Prayer Night,

the cycle begins anew. Everything shall be reborn.

The emperor uses his spiritual power as the foundation

to borrow the power of the stars before praying for all beings.

May the benevolent stars strengthen our power.

May the ones present

live a long life.

May the light in Jixing Abyss shine for an eternity.

I pray to you, the benevolent stars.

I pray to you, the auspicious emperor.

Excuse me.

This one is good.

- These ones are so pretty. - What about this one?

Let me see the one on your wrist.

Check this out.

It's so pretty.

Let me see.

I love the color.

Look.

What is happening?

What is this?

Blessings to all beings!

Ming Yi.

Father,

are you all right?

Surprised?

Yuanfeng, you held the Prayer Night

so that you can fool everyone

into thinking that Jixing Abyss is as prosperous as always.

But you should know

that the superficial prosperity is meaningless.

What Jixing Abyss needs is real power.

Father!

Yuanfeng, you are poisoned.

When you invoked your poisoned power to pray,

you incurred a great curse.

Even the strongest warrior you have is powerless.

Lord Hanfeng is revolting.

Split into two teams.

One team to protect the subjects of Jixing Abyss.

One team to head to Jixing Palace with me.

Noted.

Yuanfeng,

sign on this Abdication Decree

with your blood

so that I can run Jixing Abyss.

Then, I'll end everything.

What do you say?

You will be relieved of your heavy burden.

And I, as the only person in the Six Realms

who can command the netherbeasts,

will lead the netherbeast army

to conquer Zhushui Spiritual State.

Jixing Abyss will be one of the Upper Realms forever in the future.

Resist no more, Yuanfeng.

The divine enfeebling powder Yan Xiao gave you

is not an ordinary poison.

I did not wish to do this.

But your cowardice

and risk aversion

turned what was strong into weak.

And the fitting ending for the weak

is death.

[Abdication Decree]

You said you're doing this for Jixing Abyss,

but the first thing you do is to sacrifice our people.

They are our subjects!

You will be feared momentarily,

and hated for life.

Yuanfeng,

it doesn't seem like

we'll ever reach a consensus.

Mu Qibai.

Sorry for the long wait.

Aren't you supposed to be...

Father, are you all right?

All of you are supposed to be poisoned.

One must deliberately fall for the trap

before one can catch the ringleader.

Mu Qibai asked me to add

the divine enfeebling powder to the emperor's medicine.

His Majesty will have a damaged constitution within two weeks.

And as His Majesty

uses his poisoned power to pray for everyone during the Prayer Night,

all beings

will be poisoned.

Your decision to side with me seems final.

I thought

it was just another part of your plan.

Mu Qibai commands the netherbeast army.

He is more likely to win.

I did waver.

But rest assured, Ji.

I crave power,

but I do have a principle.

I know

right from wrong.

I'm curious.

Why me, Yan?

Why not

work with your childhood friend, Princess Tianji?

Mu Qibai

might be more terrifying than we imagined.

I must deceive Tianji too.

Otherwise, I won't be able to earn Mu Qibai's trust.

Ji,

if things

do not turn out the way we anticipated,

please

do your best to protect Her Highness.

I suppose

there's no running away from the poison

Mu Qibai instructed you to put in us.

Uncle,

give up already.

Even if your plan works today,

your illegitimate coup d'état

will not convince everyone to follow you.

Yuanfeng has been ill for a long time.

His days are numbered

but there is no clear heir in sight.

Jixing Abyss will have a leader.

I will carry this burden

as long as I still live.

I run the Shouhua Academy.

I can make sure Jixing Abyss rises to the Upper Realms

without killing anyone.

I won't let Jixing Abyss return

to the days when it had to kowtow to others.

Preposterous.

How naive of you to think

that faith alone can make

the other Five Realms submit to you.

Her Highness has her way.

She merely used faith

to tell you

that one must lead a realm with principles.

Do not twist her words.

Why? Do you think she should learn from you,

who first colluded with Outer Realm,

and now relies on a wild and volatile power?

You will only meet your own demise.

You know nothing.

Don't lose it.

Get in formation!

♪When the drifting clouds♪

♪Flow toward me♪

♪They drench my very soul♪

♪Until it turns weak♪

♪I deceive myself into thinking that to love once♪

♪Is enough♪

♪Even if no true vow has ever been given♪

♪From the stars, how long must my tears travel to reach your heart?♪

♪The tenderness you give me is but love's poisonous wine♪

♪I drink down all of my sorrow♪

♪To trade for your freedom♪

♪Once I've tasted love, I long to be lost in its wine♪

♪After long struggles in the abyss, I ask the heavens♪

♪Even if my armor shatters for you, what does it matter?♪

♪Fate is never wrong♪

♪Even the sun must one day fall♪

♪Against the world's absurdity, I fight with all my might♪

♪From the stars, how long must my tears travel to reach your heart?♪

♪The tenderness you give me is but love's poisonous wine♪

♪I drink down all of my sorrow♪

♪To trade for your freedom♪

♪Once I've tasted love, I long to be lost in its wine♪